Pacific was founded on July 10, 1851, in Santa Clara. It was originally named California Wesleyan College, but one month later, it petitioned to have its name changed to the University of the Pacific. In 1858, the college opened the first medical school on the West Coast; it was called the Medical Department of the University of the Pacific. The medical school was later affiliated with University College under the name Cooper Medical College, and in 1908 it was taken over by Stanford University and became the Stanford University School of Medicine.
In 1871, the campus was moved to San Jose, to an area that came to be known as the College Park neighborhood, and opened its doors to women, becoming the first independent co-educational campus in California. In 1878, the Conservatory of Music was established at Pacific, making it the first of its kind west of the Mississippi River. In 1896, Napa College merged with the college. In 1911, the name was changed to College of the Pacific (COP or Pacific).
In 1923, the campus relocated from the Bay Area to the city of Stockton becoming the first private four-year university in the Central Valley;[dubious – discuss] it changed its name back to the University of the Pacific in 1961. In 1925, the San Jose campus was sold to Santa Clara College which moved its Santa Clara Prep to the campus and renamed it Bellarmine College Preparatory.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At the University of Pacific, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to the fulfillment of our institutional mission. Diversity is an indispensable component of academic excellence. It enriches the educational experience by allowing all of us to share knowledge, develop critical thinking skills, and understand new perspectives and ideas that are grounded in all of the ways we are different and unique.
The Community Partner for Northern California
Our future is tied to the future of Northern California. We invest in the surrounding community to help support and develop one of the country's fastest-growing economic and cultural centers. Whether we’re providing dental clinics in San Francisco, helping Stockton third graders become proficient readers through Beyond our Gates, or providing legal advice to immigrants in Sacramento, we're devoted to our communities.
- #53 BEST VALUE SCHOOLS PER U.S. NEWS 2021
- #93 BEST COLLEGES FOR VETERANS PER U.S. NEWS 2021
- #13 SALARY AFTER ATTENDING AMONG CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITIES
University of the Pacific's 2021 Rankings
The University of the Pacific is ranked #133 in National Universities.
- #133 in National Universities (tie)
- #93 in Best Colleges for Veterans (tie)
- #53 in Best Value Schools
